Public appointment: Member appointment extended on the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration Board

The Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise, Natalie Don-Innes MSP, today announced the extension to the appointment of Jim Edgar as a Member of the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration Board.

Member

Jim Edgar is a qualified accountant with substantial finance and operational experience in the public sector at Director level. Most of his experience has been with DWP and its predecessors and he also had a spell as Finance Director at the Scottish Legal Aid Board. Jim also has experience as a Non-Executive Director, first with (the then) Stevenson College, Edinburgh serving two terms including four years as Chair. Most recently until August 2016 he completed two terms with the Scottish Qualifications Authority, including as Chair of the Audit Committee.

Extension

This extension will be for 3 months and will run from 16 October 2025 to 15 January 2026.

This extension is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This extension is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £208.99 per day for a time commitment of 1.5 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Jim Edgar does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. 

Jim Edgar has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) is a national body focused on children and young people most at risk. SCRA was formed under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994 and became fully operational on 1st April 1996. SCRA’s main responsibilities as set out in the Act are:

• to facilitate the work of Children’s Reporters
• to deploy and manage staff to carry out that work
• to provide suitable accommodation for Children’s Hearings

The children’s hearings system provides the operational setting in which SCRA and partner agencies work. The aim is to provide a safety net for vulnerable children and young people and deliver tailored solutions which meet the needs of the individuals involved, while helping to build stronger families and safer communities.